Closures for containers



Dec. 4, 1962 E. CONKLIN 3,066,821

CLOSURES FOR CONTAINERS Filed May 21, 1959 INVENTOR ,FarZ ll. Con/661,77

BY Mun/7,.Ldddy, Daniels ZYMarc ATTORNEY ch 3066821 1 r ates te ice Patented Dec. 4, 1962 ponents being of simple construction and capable of be- 3,ti66,821 ing economically fabricated and produced.

CLGSURES FGR CQNTAINERS Earl L. Conklin, Fort Lee, N..i., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to (Century Brewery Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 21, 195), Ser. No. 814,786 3 Claims. (Cl. 215-43} This invention relates to closures for containers and the like, and more particularly to bottle closures for use in connection with effervescent beverages, bottle-pasteurized beverages etc.

In the past many types and styles of bottle closures have been proposed and produced for the purpose of closlag and sealing bottles intended to contain all kinds of liquid substances or beverages, including effervescent and similar gascontaining or gas-forming beverages which effeet a considerable internal pressure in the bottle or container.

In most cases, the bottling of effervescent or gas-form ing beverages is generally a cold process, whereby the closures and sealing materials employed therein are not required to withstand elevated temperatures and/ or cope with elevated pressures which are greater than those normally encountered in connection with a cold product. While these prior closures or bottle caps have been satisfactory under the above-stated conditions of use, it was found that they were subject to failure and could not be utilized in connection with the bottling of beverages where elevated temperatures or heat are encountered. An instance of such a situation or condition is in connection with the bottling of highly elfervescent beer which is also malt liquior, wherein a pasteurizing step or procedure is employed after the bottling of the product has been completed. Such pasturizing step, involving temperatures in the neighborhood of 140 degrees Fahrenheit have resulted in a distortion and failure of existing types of bottle closures and caps, and also the containers or bottles. Such failure has been caused by the elevated temperatures and/or elevated internal pressures (on the order of 140-155 p.s.i.).

Where closures involving plastic components were utilized, the heat would cause a softening of the plastic and distorting of the same, and if the closures had a reinforcement or backing for the plastic to prevent the distortion or yielding of the same, the elevated pressures would cause a failure of the closure or bottle itself, or of both the bottle and closure.

The above drawbacks and disadvantages of prior bottle closures or caps are obviated by the present invention, and one object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved bottle cap or closure which will readily withstand both elevated temperatures and elevated pressures as encountered in the bottling of effervescent beverages, particularly those which are subjected to a pasteurizing step or procedure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved bottle closure or cap as above characterized, wherein a plastic sealing member or stopper portion may be employed in effecting the closure, without resulting in failure of the closure or bottle due to the elevated temperatures and pressures.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved plastic sealing or bottle cap structure in accordance with the foregoing, wherein a non-leaking, pressure-relief action and temporary distortion of the plastic closure component may occur thereby to minimize and obviate the likelihood of failure of the closure and container.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved bottle can or closure as above set forth, which involves relatively few components, the said com- Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved bottle cap as above characterized, wherein provision is made for the use of a state-tax type of crown or top plate on the closure, so as to comply with the tax requirements of states utilizing this type of tax payment.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like components throughout the several views, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a beverage bottle having applied to it the improved bottle closure or cap as provided by the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical or axial sectional view of the neck portion of the bottle and the closure attached thereto, taken on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the outer metal component or shell of the bottle cap, prior to said shell being assembled to a bottle; and

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the outer shell shown in FIGURE 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view illustrating the stopper and attached shell in its normal non-pressure relieving position.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the beverage bottle or container is indicated by the numeral 10, said container having a neck portion 11 provided with a rim or pouring lip 12 and an external, peripheral clincher bead 14, all in the usual manner. The bottle neck 11 may further have an annular bulbous portion 16 disposed below the head 14, by which an annular external groove 18 is formed for the reception of the crimped edge portion or skirt of a bottle cap. Such bottle construction as above set forth is conventional, and has been in use for many years.

I have found that with bottles of this type, when the usual type of lined metal crimping cap is employed an unsatisfactory seal is had in the case of effervescent, gascontaining or gas-forming beverages, as for example effervescent or champagne beer and the like, especially where the bottled product is to be subjected to a pasteurizing process involving appreciable heat. With the known, common type of crimped metal bottle cap the seal has not been leak proof, and besides failure of the seal or cap there often occurs a failure of the bottle or container itself due to the elevated temperatures and pressures involved in the pasteurizing process.

By the present invention there is provided a novel and improved bottle closure or cap which is especially adapted to withstand the elevated temperatures and pressures encountered in the bottling and processing of effervescent or champagne beer, including particularly the pasteurizing process wherein temperatures of approximately degrees Fahrenheit are utilized, and wherein internal gas pressures are built up in the neighborhood of 140 to pounds per square inch.

My improved bottle closure employs an inner sealing plastic component which resists the action of the beverage, resists any tendency to dry out or crack, or otherwise leak or fail, and further acts during the pasteurizing process to prevent excessive build-up of internal pressures within the container. Thus, not only is the likelihood of failure of the closure or cap greatly minimized but there is reduced the likelihood of failure of the bottle or container itself.

Referring to the drawings, the present improved bottle cap comprises but two components, an inner plastic stopper or sealing component 20 and an outer component or shell 22., the latter being preferably formed of metal. These components are so organized and arranged as to prevent ejection of the plastic sealing stopper during processing and subsequent storage of the product, and to further relieve and minimize excessive pressures during the pasteurizing step.

As. seen in FIG. 2, the plastic stopper portion 20 comprises an elongate tubular inner portion 24 having relatively thin cylindrical walls 26, the said portion being formed by virtue of a large central bore 2$which extends upward into the stopper body to a point beyond or above the lip or mouth 12 of the bottle. The plastic closure portionj2t further comprises a top or crown portion 30' having" a generally fiat top face or flexible membrane surface 32 and having a cylindrical side wall 34 which is appreciably greater in diameter and circumference than the outer cylindrical surface of the tubular portion 26 of the stopper portion. The outer cylindrical surface 24 of the crown or body portion of the stopper is commensurate in size with the outer dimensions of the mouth of the bottle 10, as may be readily observed from an inspection of FIG. 2.

The stopper portion 26 is preferably made of a soft and yi'eld'able, non-rigid, resilient plastic substance or material such as polyethylene or similar formulations. However, the invention is. not limited to this specific type of plastic material or class of material, since other suitable yieldable and resilient substances may be successfully utilized.

In effecting a secure sealing of the contents of the bottle 10, the tubular sealing portion 24. of the stopper part 20 will expand outward against the inside walls of the mouth and neck of the bottle, in response to internal pressures or forces exerted against the walls of the bore 28. Because of the appreciable length of the tubular sealing portion 24 this outward expansion of the same against the inside walls of the bottle will result in a secure seal being effected.

In conjunction with the inner stopper portion 2d of the cap the outer metal component or shell 22 as provided by the invention has a unique action. Not only does the shell 22 permanently retain the closure portion 20 in the mouth of they bottle until it is intentionally removed by a user, but also the shell 22 permits a limited degree of distortion and/or expansion of the stopper portion 20 in a manner such that excessive pressures within the container are minimized and limited, especially during a pasteurizing process involving elevated temperatures, all without permitting the inner stopper portion to become unseated, or permanently deformed to the point where it is inoperative to maintain a seal, or otherwise rendered unfit for its intended purpose.

As shown, the outer metal component or shell 22 comprises acup-shaped body having a cylindrical side wall 33 in the form of a depending flange, said side wall having a crimped lower edge 40 which is adapted to be forced inward and into the clinching groove 18 at the mouth of the bottle 10. The outer shell 22 has a circular top portion 42 provided with an upwardly bulged or rounded center 44 of appreciable size. The center 44, is upset or displaced upward an appreciable extent, as clearly seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, thereby to provide a space between its undersurface and the top surface 32 of the stopper portion 20. At the same time, the outer peripheral portions of the top 42, which constitute a configuration, firmly seat against and engage the corresponding annular surfact of the top face 32 of the stopper portion, thereby to securely retain the stopper portion in its sealing position within the mouth of the bottle even though the plastic substance softens under the action of heat and is subjected to appreciable internal pressures, as in the case of a pasteurizing process.

Moreover, by the provision of the space above the central portion of the body 30 of the stopper the said body may yield and distort upward in response to softening of the material and elevated internal pressures in the container 10, as seen in FIG. 2. However, the upward distortion and/or flow of the plastic body portion 30 is positively restricted by the bulbous metal dome 44 of the outer shell 22, as may be readily understood. When it is considered that bottled beverages of the type under con sideration may be subjected to a pasteurizing process for a period of as long as 22 minutes at temperatures in the neighborhood of degrees Fahrenheit involving internal pressures in the neighborhood of 140 to psi. the importance of proper confinement of the outer peripheral portions of the inner plastic stopper member 20 while at the same time permitting a limited amount of distortion and upward displacement of the body portion 3% of the stopper may be readily appreciated. Such upward displacement, even to a small or limited extent, may greatlyreduce the internal pressures within the bottle 10 in accordance with well-known volumetric-pressure laws. I have found that by such action there is minimized if not completely eliminated breakage of the containers 10 and failure of the stoppers, for all practical purposes.

The shell 22 may be fabricated of any suitable material, as for example a non-corrosive or non-rusting material: such as aluminum, aluminum alloy or the like.

When the stopper portion ZtE-is constituted of a resilient plastic material such as polyethylene or the like, it will resume virtually its original shape after the deformation caused by the pasteurizing process or step, since the internal pressures resulting from the heating of the contents of the bottle it} will become reduced in value. The body portion 36' of the stopper may thus ultimately have only a slight convexity on the upper surface 32 thereof after pasteurization has been completed and the product has cooled to ambient temperature.

The outer metal shell 22 as provided by the invention may be advantageously formed with a pair of oppositely disposed depending tabs 46, which are integral with the cylindrical side wall 33 of the shell and which facilitate the removal of the closure in a well-known manner, as by pulling upward on the tabs and causing tearing of the cylindrical side wall.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved bottle closure or cap which has unique advantages, especially when used in connection with the bottling of effervescent beverages such as highly effervescent beer or malt liquor, wherein there is employed after the bottling a pasteurizing process which results in the cap or closure being subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures. My improved cap construction minimizes the likelihood of failure of the container and failure of the cap, and has a unique pressure-relieving action while at the same time effecting a leak-resistant seal. The cap construction involves few components, and the said components may be readily economically fabricated and produced.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. An improved bottle closure for use with bottles adapted to contain effervescent fluids when subjected to elevated temperatures and internal pressures comprising:

(a) a stopper having a crown portion and an integrally connected depending elongated tubular sealing portion provided with a longitudinally extending bore therethrough, said crown portion having a greater diameter in said connected sealing portion,

(b) said sealing portion adapted to extend into the mouth and neck of the bottle to said crown portion and to expand against the inside walls thereof when subjected to said elevated temperatures and pressures,

(c) a flexible membrane closing the upper end of said bore to form an expandable top for said stopper,

(d) an outer relatively rigid shell having a top and a connected depending skirt said skirt embracing said crown portion and extends below the same to provide a skirt portion adapted to secure the stopper in the neck of the bottle, and said shell top having an annular peripheral portion engaging a corresponding peripheral portion of the top of said crown portion and surrounding said flexible membrane,

(e) the top of said shell having a raised portion spaced from the flexible membrane under normal atmospheric pressure and temperature conditions so that the space between said shell and flexible membrane provides for limited outward expansion of said flexible membrane for relieving the pressure within bottle at elevated temperature and pressure conditions.

2. An improved bottle closure for use with bottles adapted to contain eltervescent fluids when subiected to elevated temperatures and internal pressures comprising:

(a) a flexible stopper having an enlarged crown portion and an integrally connected depending elongated tubular sealing portion having a longitudinally extending bore therein,

(12) said sealing portion being adapted to extend within the mouth and neck of the bottle up to said crown portion and to expand against the inside walls thereof when subjected to said elevated temperatures and pressures,

(c) a flexible membrane closing the upper end of said bore to form an expandable top for said stopper,

(cl) an outer relatively rigid non-flexible shell having a top portion and a connected depending skirt, the skirt of said shell closely embracing said crown portion and said skirt extending below said crown to connect to the top of the bottle to secure the stopper within the neck of the bottle,

(e) said shell top portion having an annular peripheral portion adapted to engage a corresponding annular peripheral portion of the stopper, and a connected raised central portion spaced from the flexible membrane under normal atmospheric pressure and temperature conditions whereby the space between the flexible membrane and the central portion of said shell provides for limited outward expansion of said flexible membrane for relieving the pressure within bottle at said elevated temperature and pressure conditions.

3. An improved bottle closure for use with a bottle adapted to contain a effervescent fluid when subjected to elevated temperature and internal pressure comprising:

(a) a flexible stopper having a crown portion and a connected elongated tubular sealing portion having a longitudinal bore extending through said sealing portion and connected crown portion,

(11) said sealing portion being adapted to extend within the mouth and neck of the bottle up to the crown portion thereof and said sealing portion being adapted to expand against the inside of the bottle neck along the length thereof when subjected to said elevated temperature and pressure,

(0) a flexible membrane closing the upper end of said bore to form an expandable top for said stopper,

(d) an outer relatively rigid, non-flexible shell having a top and connected depending skirt to fit over the top of said stopper,

(2) the skirt of said shell being adapted to extend below said crown to engage the top of the bottle to secure the stopper within said bottle, and

(f) the top of said shell having an annular peripheral portion adapted to engage a corresponding annular peripheral portion of the crown of said stopper to prohibit displacement of said stopper relative to said bottle and a central portion spaced from the flexible membrane under normal internal pressure and temperature conditions so that the space defined between said membrane and the central portion of said shell provides for limited outward expansion of said flexible membrane to relieve the internal pressure Within said bottle at said elevated temperature and pressure.

Rei'erences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,433,629 Shannon 2. Dec. 30, 1947 2,465,269 Rohde et al Mar. 22, 1949 2,634,014 Kimber Apr. 7. 1953 2,940,627 Schultz June 14, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 26,161 Norway Aug. 9, 1915 439,840 Great Britain Dec. 16, 1935 

